Ladies Newsletter – January

I finally had to get my running hat and gloves out in January – there has been some cold sessions this month but numbers have still been high which makes me think that none of us can cope with a session in January without some company. Janine took a hill session last week which everyone enjoyed. Great timing as she has knocked out another marathon earlier that weekend at Dymchurch with Paul and Jamie. Eileen, Linzi and Caroline have all been on the LIRF course so expect to see them helping out in February. Meera has taken over the baton of writing weekly race reports again and a great first one last week – thank you very much Meera.

It has been another relatively quiet month but that will all change next month with our half and 2 XCs in a month. XC resumed after a long gap at one of my favourite courses Hadleigh. You girls decided to get my stress levels up by deciding to keep in the warm before you ventured across to the field!! Emily never even got to the start line after getting caught up in the diversion route for the road closure no one expected!!! We finished 4th and have moved up to 3rd in the league. Another strong performance with Chusa joining the scorers. Meera having a really strong race and I think Anna was just pleased to finish. Helene made her debut in style surviving the last 1.5 miles with just one trainer on!!!! Lovely to see Louise make her debut too sandwiching XC between 2 x 5 miles run with Vicky Parker, both on their marathon training missions. Can’t mention everyone but did spot that Lorna and Karen both ran really well.

In the Junior race, Holly Colsell made her debut and I think may return for more. Milly stormed home as 3rd girl and was definitely on a mission coming down that last hill with Megan and Caitlyn both looking stronger with every run they do. Think it is all the Parkruns they have been doing with their Mum.

Earlier in the month, Meera, Alison, Helene and I travelled to Benfleet for their 15 mile off road brutal course!! All of us were pleased with our performances and had a lovely day – poor old John having to put up with us in the car there and back. I actually led the ladies race from mile 3 to mile 14 but, as usual, the hills always get the better of me and the last one certainly did that.

Next weekend is our half – good luck to Debs, Chusa, Tricia, Caroline and Jenny A who are all representing the ladies. Enjoy the course, it will be the flattest half marathon you can run and lap up the cheers from all of us. The rest of us no doubt know our roles but we also have 4/5 tables to fill up with sandwiches, cakes, savoury products so please help us living up to our reputation of loving good cake and supporting each and every runner. We certainly know how to enjoy our food and this morning was not exception with a mass GBRC turnout for brekkie at the Black Buoy. Thanks to Shane the landlord and Paul for being his right hand man, hopefully they will have us back again soon.

Rodger has now set the dates of his trail runs and the first one is a 5 mile course at Wrabness on 3 April. Keep an eye on the website for what training we are doing – there is more detail on each session so you can plan your week and we will be mixing up who takes sessions. Wednesdays will now alternate between a structured session one week and a run followed by Yoga the following week. Really enjoyed the first couple of Yoga sessions Paul has done.

Before I move onto the Runner of the Month, a number of things have changed for me this year and we are only a month in (in fact most of it happened in the first week of January)!! My daughter, Milly, has been encouraged by the school to join an athletics club and has joined Colchester Harriers and is being coached by Tonie. Therefore she will be running for them in the next XC. As I am now at the track on a Thursday and I have known some of the Harriers for many years, they are happy for me to train with them too on a Thursday. However I have no intention of changing my vest colour from blue to green and didn’t want any rumours circulating that I had changed allegiance from the club I love. I also have a new job that I have started which is likely to be full on for the next 6 months and therefore with a heavy heart I will not be standing again as Captain at the next AGM in early March. I have loved being Captain but I can’t do everything and it will allow someone with more time to take over. I have been with the club a long time and seen several good Captains – a Captain definitely does not need to be a faster runner…… If anyone wants to chat to me about what it involves then come and see me at a session. I will still be around and happy to help or butt out, whatever is the new Captain’s preference!! J

So…… to my Runner of the Month, it was so nearly Helene after her strong performance at Benfleet and her boundless ability to keep on going but she got pipped that Sunday afternoon by a lady who knocked 3 minutes off her 15 mile time and pushed herself up to 4th in the all-time list for 15 miles. After a 2015 where she got waylaid by her job and injuries, brilliant to see her back to full strength and one of our latest LIRFs as well. So…., my Runner of the Month goes to the lovely EILEEN SHADFORD.